Laurent Koscielny ruled out of World Cup after serious injury

Arsenal captain Laurent Koscielny has been ruled out of this summer’s World Cup after tearing his Achilles during Arsenal’s Europa League semi-final defeat against Atletico Madrid.

Koscielny was stretchered off in the 12th minute of the Gunners’ 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid and it later emerged that the 32-year-old had suffered a serious injury.

The central defender lost his footing with nobody else near him while chasing down Diego Costa and the game was delayed for seven minutes before he was replaced by Calum Chambers.

Koscielny has won 51 caps for France but the injury, which could keep him out for at least six months, has ended his hopes of going to the World Cup this summer.

Cover Photo: FIFA World Cup 2014 by Mariya Butd used under license by CC BY 2.0.